How To Plan A Healthy Plant-Based Summer BBQ Menu
By: Suzanne Kvilhaug
Summer BBQ. Two words that can instantly create nostalgia, generate excitement, and stimulate an appetite...unless of course you’re a vegan or eating a plant-based diet. Most traditional BBQs consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken maybe steak, pork or seafood if you have adventurous hosts. But in most scenarios, they aren’t exactly a destination for plant-based eaters.
Whether you’re entertaining vegans and/or vegetarians, or you’d just prefer a healthier spread, plant-based summer BBQ menus do exist! Not only are they good for you, a meatless backyard feast can be packed with flavors that will impress and satisfy all of your guests.
The biggest challenge when it comes to planning a BBQ menu that doesn’t involve meat is finding recipes that capture the “feel” of a classic BBQ. Things like refreshing salads and fruity desserts are staples but, more than anything, you’ll need main courses that feature the BBQ MVP - a grill.
To help you create a delicious and impressive plant-based BBQ menu, we’ve collected some of our favorite summer-inspired options that will help you cover all of your BBQ basics.
plant-Based BBQ Sides & Salads
Vegan Potato Salad
This is a new age take on a BBQ must-have. With all of the classic flavors, the Vegan Potato Salad recipe by This Savory Vegan is easy enough for anyone to make, and delicious enough for everyone to love. Made with potatoes, plant-based mayo, yellow mustard, dill pickle, and veggies, it’s a contemporary version that tastes as good as, if not better than, the original.
Vegan Coleslaw
Maybe you’re not into coleslaw, maybe you are. Either way, it’s a staple that at least a few people will be looking for at the table. This easy-to-make and oil-free Classic Vegan Coleslaw recipe by Nora Cooks is made with vegan mayo, vegetables, apple cider vinegar, and the perfect dressing.
Vegan Grilled Vegetable Platter Recipe With Cashew Goddess Sauce
One glance at this unique Vegetable Platter recipe by Plays Well With Butter and people will know you mean business. Made with radishes, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, and avocados, paired with a creamy vegan cashew goddess dipping sauce, this warm side is the perfect colorful centerpiece for any spread. Even though this isn’t your average vegetable platter, don’t let that intimidate you, because it only takes 10 minutes to put together.
GRILLED VEGAN MEXICAN STREET CORN
Sometimes you need to take traditional favorites to another level. And that’s exactly what this Grilled Vegan Mexican Street Corn recipe by Brand New Vegan does. Seasoned Almond Milk serves as the base for the marinade while vegan Parmesan gives it that tangy, cheesy flavor.
Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip
If you’re looking for a fun, appealing, and healthy fruit side- this is it. Healthy, refreshing, gluten-free, and vegan, this Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip recipe by Abbey’s Kitchen is flavorful and easy to make. The watermelon fry-like strips are seasoned with a tajin season for a spicy kick and the vegan dip is made with coconut yogurt and lime.
Cherry Berry Fruit Salad
Doesn’t the sight of cherries just warm the heart?! Make the most of a short cherry season and make this Cherry Berry Fruit Salad recipe by the Simple Veganista. This pretty and healthy salad consists of cherries and berries with cooling mint, zesty lemon, and a hint of cinnamon and cardamom.
Tropical Mango Salad
Looking for a super-light, fresh, summer-themed colorful salad? Look no further. This Tropical Mango Salad recipe by Alpha Foodie is made with rainbow veggies, a tropical mango twist, and lime dressing. All you need is 10 ingredients and 20 minutes to make this healthy, pretty, and fun summer salad.
plant-Based BBQ Entrees
Mediterranean Grilled Avocado Stuffed With Chickpeas and Tahini
Yes, grilled avocado is a thing. This Mediterranean Grilled Recipe by Food Faith Fitness is a healthy and plant-based option that will likely generate buzz from anyone who eyes it on the table. The avocados are stuffed with a fresh mixture of cucumber, tomato and crispy grilled chickpeas with a drizzle of tahini.
Smoky Grilled Eggplant
If you’ve never been a big fan of eggplant, this recipe might just win you over. Flavorful, smoky, and easy to make, this Smoky Grilled Eggplant recipe by Minimalist Baker is a quick, versatile and healthy BBQ plant-based option. The best part is, it requires just 9 ingredients and 20 minutes to prepare.
BBQ Cauliflower Wings
Ok, to be fair, these require an oven but their BBQ flavors make them worthy of any summer picnic table. This recipe for BBQ Cauliflower Wings by Vegan Huggs consists of cauliflower baked to perfection with a crispy panko coating and a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. These wings are amazing on their own, but if you prefer to include a dip, they pair well with Vegan Ranch, Vegan Honey Mustard or hot sauce.
Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs
You have to have at least one kabob option at a BBQ and this plant-based option is innovative, easy-to-make and flavorful. This Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabob recipe by Ambitious Kitchen is made with anti-inflammatory turmeric, ginger, garlic, tamari and fresh pineapple juice. These kabobs are incredibly easy to make, healthy and can convince anyone to try tofu once.
Veggie Burgers
You’ll never think of veggie burgers as boring again after making this hearty Veggie Burger recipe by Love & Lemons. Made with a mix of shiitake and portobello mushrooms and seasoned with tamari, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, and sriracha these veggie burgers have a meaty texture with a savory and smoky flavor. These have the potential to become the best veggie burger people have ever had.
Portobello Mushroom Hot Dogs
Get a little creative and you’ll see that plant-based hot dogs do exist. This Portobello Mushroom Hot Dogs recipe by Connoisseurus is made with thick mushroom slabs that are grilled up with smoky seasonings, stuffed into buns and piled high with toppings. They taste good with just about anything you might put on a hot dog, and only take under 20 minutes to make.
plant-Based BBQ Desserts
No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake with Citrus Topping
Even if it’s just for how pretty it’ll look on the dessert table, this No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake with Citrus Topping by Bakerita is worth making. It only takes 15 minutes to make this super creamy, slightly tangy and smooth cashew-based raw, vegan cheesecake that’s topped with juicy bright fruit.
Vegan Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
People will go for bananas for this one. This Vegan Banana Cream Pie Parfait recipe by Choosing Chia is made with delicious layers of homemade vegan vanilla pudding, coconut whipped cream, crushed graham crackers and sliced bananas for a healthy spin on a classic favorite. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, these individually portioned parfaits are easy to make and easy to assemble.
Vegan Strawberry Shortcake
I remember as a kid feeling like a gourmet chef when I would put Cool Whip and fresh strawberries on the classic round cup sponge cakes. This Vegan Strawberry Shortcake recipe by Loving It Vegan is a healthier entirely homemade version made with layers of shortcake, vegan whipped cream and strawberries.
Looking for some made store-bought plant-based BBQ options? Check for these at your local grocery store:
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